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Three-For-Three In 2021, Snowfall Goes For Breeders’ Cup Berth In Thursday’s Yorkshire Oaks

Derrick Smith, Mrs. John Magnier and Michael Tabor's dual Group 1-winning filly Snowfall (JPN) is set to take on six rivals at York in the 1 ½-mile Darley Yorkshire Oaks (G1) on Thursday. The Darley Yorkshire Oaks winner will receive an automatic berth into the US$2 million Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf (G1) through the international Breeders' Cup Challenge Series.

The Breeders' Cup Challenge Series is an international series of 84 stakes races whose winners receive automatic starting positions and fees paid into a corresponding race of the Breeders' Cup World Championships, which will be held at Del Mar racetrack in Del Mar, California, on Nov. 5-6.

Snowfall, a 3-year-old daughter of Deep Impact (JPN) out of the Galileo (IRE) mare Best In The World (IRE), is three for three this season. The Aidan O'Brien-trained filly returns to York where she began her 2021 campaign with a win in the Tattersalls Musidora Stakes (G3), before cruising to a record-breaking 16-length victory in the Cazoo Oaks (G1) at Epsom in June. Snowfall followed up on that success with another wide-margin victory in the Juddmonte Irish Oaks (G1) at The Curragh on July 17. She is joined by stablemates Divinely (IRE), last seen finishing fourth in the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (G2), and La Joconde (IRE), the outsider of the field.

Trained by David Menuisier and ridden by William Buick, Wonderful Tonight (FR) steps up to Group 1 competition for the first time this season. The 4-year-old daughter of Le Havre (IRE) won the Qatar Prix de Royallieu (G1) at ParisLongchamp and QIPCO British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes (G1) last October. This year, Wonderful Tonight captured the Hardwicke Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot in June before winning the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes (G2) at Goodwood on July 31.

Menuisier had alternative options in France for his star filly but has decided to head to York.

He said: “Obviously I'm hoping there's a bit more rain, but if the ground is good we'll give it a go.

“I've been in Deauville for four or five days and I've found that the ground is pretty chopped up. The weather forecast is not that positive for downpours and I'm sure the ground will be better in York than it is in Deauville.”

Connections of Albaflora (GB) will be hoping their 4-year-old filly can improve against Wonderful Tonight. Owned and bred by Miss Kirsten Rausing, Albaflora finished fifth in the Hardwicke Stakes and third in the Qatar Lillie Langtry Stakes. It would be a first win in this race for trainer Ralph Beckett and jockey Rossa Ryan, if successful.

John Gosden has won this race five times. Now training in partnership with his son Thady, the duo saddle Loving Dream (GB), with jockey Frankie Dettori set to ride. The 3-year-old daughter of Gleneagles (IRE) was last seen when winning the Ribblesdale Stakes (G2) at Royal Ascot on June 17.

Finishing three-quarters of a length behind Loving Dream that day at Ascot was Shadwell Estate Company's Eshaada (GB). The lightly raced Group 2 placed 3-year-old filly, trained by Roger Varian and ridden by Jim Crowley, completes the field.

As part of the benefits of the Challenge Series, Breeders' Cup will pay the entry fees for the Darley Yorkshire Oaks winner to start in the Maker's Mark Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf, which will be run at 1 3/8 Miles on the Del Mar turf course. Breeders' Cup will also provide a travel allowance of US$40,000 for all starters based outside of North America to compete in the World Championships. The Challenge winner must be nominated to the Breeders' Cup program by the Championships' pre-entry deadline of Oct. 25 to receive the rewards.

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Wootton Bassett’s Royal Patronage Makes All in the Acomb

Trading as the largely unconsidered 25-1 outsider-of-five for Wednesday's G3 Tattersalls Acomb S. at York, Highclere Thoroughbred Racing's Royal Patronage (Fr) (Wootton Bassett {GB}) turned that logic on its head with a command performance from the front. Coming off an impressive five-length success over this seven-furlong trip in an Epsom novice July 29, the bay was on his mettle at the break and a sharp getaway yielded immediate control. Unflustered on the lead down the centre of the track in the straight, he bore all the hallmarks of a typical Mark Johnston galloper to record an ultimately comfortable 2 1/4-length success from Imperial Fighter (Ire) (The Gurkha {Ire}), with TDN Rising Star and 7-4 favourite Dubawi Legend (Ire) (Dubawi {Ire}) two lengths further adrift in third with no excuses. “I was very confident of this lad, he gave me a nice feel at Epsom and the way he was travelling down the straight I thought it would take a good one to pass me,” winning jockey Jason Hart said. “For a two-year-old, he's a sort of push-button type of ride. He's all there. I think he's fine at seven for the time being, but I don't see any reason why he wouldn't get a mile.”

Royal Patronage, who was fifth on his debut over six furlongs here May 22 before finishing four-lengths second to the subsequent G2 Superlative S. winner Native Trail (GB) (Oasis Dream {GB}) in a Sandown maiden upped to this distance June 11, had looked a colt of above-average ability in a decent contest at Epsom last time. His starting price here may have had more to do with the reputations of the unexposed TDN Rising Stars Dubawi Legend and Ehraz (GB) (Showcasing {GB}), but there is no doubt that it was inflated given the nature of his display on the famed Downs. “We thought he deserved to be here, in hindsight it's easy to say 'it was no surprise',” Johnston said. “Anything that wins the Acomb is a potential Guineas horse. We had him over six furlongs the first time and that was probably a bit of a liberty, as he'll stay further in time.”

Royal Patronage is the first foal out of the Aga Khan cast-off Shaloushka (Ire) (Dalakhani {Ire}), who was bought by Blandford Bloodstock for €100,000 at the 2008 Arqana December Sale. She is a half-sister to the G1 Irish Derby third Shalapour (Ire) (Darshaan {GB}) and to the dam of the group 3-placed duo Shikarpour (Ire) (Dr Fong) and Shebella (Ire) (Dubai Destination) from the family of Shahrastani. Her 2021 colt is by Magna Grecia (Ire).

Wednesday, York, Britain
TATTERSALLS ACOMB S.-G3, £100,000, York, 8-18, 2yo, 7fT, 1:23.56, gd.
1–ROYAL PATRONAGE (FR), 127, c, 2, by Wootton Bassett (GB)
1st Dam: Shaloushka (Ire), by Dalakhani (Ire)
2nd Dam: Shalama (Ire), by Kahyasi (Ire)
3rd Dam: Shademah (Ire), by Thatch
1ST BLACK-TYPE WIN; 1ST GROUP WIN. (62,000gns Ylg '20 TATOCT). O-Highclere Thoroughbred Racing (Woodland Walk); B-Emma Capon Bloodstock (FR); T-Mark Johnston; J-Jason Hart. £56,710. Lifetime Record: 4-2-1-0, $88,272. Werk Nick Rating: A++. Click for the eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Imperial Fighter (Ire), 127, c, 2, The Gurkha (Ire)–Endure (Ire), by Green Desert. (£30,000 Ylg '20 GOFOR). O-Michael Blencowe; B-Lynn Lodge Stud (IRE); T-Andrew Balding. £21,500.
3–Dubawi Legend (Ire), 127, c, 2, Dubawi (Ire)–Lovely Pass (Ire), by Raven's Pass. O-Dr Ali Ridha; B-Rabbah Bloodstock Ltd (IRE); T-Hugo Palmer. £10,760.
Margins: 2 1/4, 2, 1. Odds: 25.00, 5.50, 1.75.
Also Ran: Noble Truth (Fr), Ehraz (GB). Click for the Racing Post result or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree.

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Santa Barbara Does It Again in Beverly D

ARLINGTON HEIGHTS, IL–Santa Barbara (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who overcame a troubled trip to win the GI Belmont Oaks in her last trip to the races, had no such difficulties this time around, as she was produced in upper stretch and rolled home to post an easy three-length victory in Saturday's GI Beverly D. S. In joining Euro Charline (Ire) (Myboycharlie {Ire}) as the only 3-year-olds to best their elders in the 9 1/2-furlong test, Santa Barbara was–remarkably–providing trainer Aidan O'Brien his first win in the race.

Mean Mary (Scat Daddy), the narrow second wagering choice, broke through the gate, and, once reloaded, found her way to the front from her inside draw and was allowed to lob along while taking token pressure to her outside from GIII Modesty S. winner Naval Laughter (Midshipman) as Ryan Moore tucked Santa Barbara away neatly from third. Mean Mary continued to control a moderate tempo as Naval Laughter shadowed her from the outside, but Mean Mary began to get away from her company as the field neared the stretch. With Moore riding high in the saddle and with a fistful of horse passing the quarter pole, Santa Barbara was pulled out three deep into the lane traveling supremely well, quickly raced up to Mean Mary and was punched out mostly hands and heels to score comfortably. Lemista (Ire) (Raven's Pass) boxed on gamely to just miss second money while earning valuable Grade I black-type for two-time Beverly D. winner Peter Brant.

Victorious in a single trip to the races, a Curragh maiden last September, Santa Barbara was the 5-2 favorite for the G1 QIPCO 1000 Guineas May 2, but could do no better than fourth to stablemate Mother Earth (Ire) (Zoffany {Ire}). Unable to see out the 12-furlong trip of the G1 Cazoo Oaks when distant fifth June 4, she raced in heavy traffic for most of the opening nine furlongs of the Belmont Oaks and, with time ticking away, was shown daylight four off the inside and whooshed home to best recent GIII Saratoga Oaks winner Con Lima (Commissioner).

Pedigree Notes:

Already valuable as a half-sister to Breeders' Cup winners Order of Australia (Ire) (Australia {GB}, Mile) and Iridessa (Ire) (Ruler of the World {Ire}, F/M Turf) from the same sire line, Santa Barbara is a maternal granddaughter of Starine, whose most important career victory came in the 2002 Filly & Mare Turf right here at Arlington. Santa Barbara is the last listed produce for Senta's Dream.

Saturday, Arlington
BEVERLY D. S.-GI, $392,000, Arlington, 8-14, 3yo/up, f/m, 1 3/16mT, 1:54.55, gd.
1–SANTA BARBARA (IRE), 117, f, 3, by Camelot (GB)
                1st Dam: Senta's Dream (GB), by Danehill
                2nd Dam: Starine (Fr), by Mendocino
                3rd Dam: Grisonnante (Fr), by Kaldoun (Fr)
'TDN Rising Star' O-Mrs. John Magnier, Michael B. Tabor,
Derrick Smith, & Westerberg; B-Whisperview Trading Ltd
(IRE); T-Aidan P. O'Brien; J-Ryan L. Moore. $240,000.
Lifetime Record: 6-3-1-0, $731,612. *1/2 to Iridessa (IRE)
(Ruler of The World (IRE)), GISW-USA, G1SW-Eng,
MG1SW-Ire, $1,988,198; 1/2 to Order of Australia (IRE)
(Australia (GB)), Hwt. at 3-Ire- at 7 – 9 1/2 f., GISW-USA,
GSW-Ire, $1,268,170. Werk Nick Rating: A+. Click for the
eNicks report & 5-cross pedigree.
2–Mean Mary, 123, m, 5, by Scat Daddy
                1st Dam: Karlovy Vary (GISW, $448,596), by Dynaformer
                2nd Dam: The Right Pew, by Pulpit
                3rd Dam: Packet, by Polish Navy
O-Alex G. Campbell, Jr.; B-Alex G. Campbell, Jr.
Thoroughbreds, LLC (KY); T-H. Graham Motion. $80,000.
3–Lemista (Ire), 123, f, 4, by Raven's Pass
                1st Dam: Shortmile Lady (Ire), by Arcano (Ire)
                2nd Dam: Jinsiyah, by Housebuster
                3rd Dam: Minifah, by Nureyev
(€16,000 Wlg '17 GOFNOV). O-Peter M. Brant; B-Drumlin
Bloodstock (IRE); T-Chad C. Brown. $40,000.
Margins: 3, NK, 2. Odds: 1.00, 1.10, 5.80.
Also Ran: Joy Epifora (Arg), Naval Laughter. Scratched: Bramble Queen, Oh So Terrible.
Click for the Equibase.com chart, the TJCIS.com PPs, or the free Equineline.com catalogue-style pedigree. VIDEO, sponsored by TVG.

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Mastercraftsman Dies Age 15

Four-time Group 1 winner and prolific sire Mastercraftsman (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}-Starlight Dreams, by Black Tie Affair {Ire}) has died age 15 at Coolmore's Castlehyde Stud in Ireland following a suspected heart attack on Friday morning.

“Mastercraftsman was a lovely horse to have anything to do with and will be missed by everyone here,” said Castlehyde manager Tom Gaffney. “He has sired some wonderful animals and hopefully there will be a few more stars by him to come.”

Mastercraftsman was bred by Lynch Bages and was the fifth foal out of Starlight Dreams, who would develop into an excellent producer as the dam of Grade III winner Genuine Devotion (Ire) (Rock Of Gibraltar {Ire}) and G1 Moyglare Stud S. runner-up Famous (Ire) (Danehill Dancer {Ire}), dam of this year's Listed Oaks Trial victress Sherbet Lemon (Lemon Drop Kid), in addition to Mastercraftsman. Mastercraftsman, however, was undoubtedly her leading light.

Placed into training with Aidan O'Brien, Mastercraftsman broke his maiden at first asking at The Curragh in May of his 2-year-old campaign for owner Derrick Smith, with Sue Magnier and Michael Tabor later joining the partnership. The grey would sail unbeaten through his next three starts-the G2 Railway S., G1 Phoenix S. and G1 National S.-under Johnny Murtagh before finishing fourth in the G1 Prix Jean-Luc Lagardere. Despite losing his unbeaten record, Mastercraftsman had done enough to be named Cartier champion 2-year-old colt of 2008.

With Murtagh choosing stablemate Rip Van Winkle (Ire) for the 2009 G1 2000 Guineas, Mastercraftsman was partnered by Pat Smullen for the Classic, and they checked in fifth, one spot behind Rip Van Winkle and 4 1/4 lengths off the peerless Sea The Stars (Ire). While Rip Van Winkle followed Sea The Stars through the middle distances in the G1 Derby and G1 Eclipse S. in his next two starts, Mastercraftsman stuck to the mile, a move which resulted in victories in the G1 Irish 2000 Guineas and G1 St James's Palace S., reunited with Murtagh. The two Ballydoyle colts changed course thereafter; while Rip Van Winkle dropped back to a mile to take the G1 Sussex S. and G1 Queen Elizabeth II S., Mastercraftsman went up to a mile and a quarter, finishing second in the G1 Juddmonte International and third in the G1 Irish Champion S., both times beaten by Sea The Stars. Mastercraftsman dropped down in class for a confidence-boosting five-length score in the G3 Diamond S. four weeks after the Irish Champion S., and closed out his career with a fourth-place finish in the 2009 GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile at Santa Anita.

Mastercraftsman began stud duties at Coolmore in 2010 for a fee of €20,000 and was an immediate hit, with three of his seven Northern Hemisphere-bred Group 1 winners having emanated from that initial crop. Kingston Hill (Ire) gave his sire a first-season Group 1 win when scoring in the Racing Post Trophy, and he went on to win the following year's G1 St Leger in addition to finishing second in the Derby.

Kingston Hill wasn't his sire's first Classic winner, however. That honour went to The Grey Gatsby (Ire), who took the 2014 G1 Prix du Jockey Club before besting that year's Derby winner Australia (GB) in the Irish Champion S. Racing until the age of six, The Grey Gatsby, still his sire's highest-rated runner, would be placed at the top level four more times, and he has his first 2-year-olds this year.

Mastercraftsman's third first-crop Group 1 winner was Amazing Maria (Ire), who hit her top stride at age four when winning the G2 Duke of Cambridge S., G1 Falmouth S. and G1 Prix Rothschild on the bounce for breeder Sir Robert Ogden and trainer David O'Meara.

Mastercraftsman's immediate success meant successive fee bumps to €35,000 and €40,000 for his fifth and sixth seasons, and it was at an advertised fee of €35,000 that his most accomplished filly was produced. A homebred for the Niarchos Family, Alpha Centauri (Ire) looked a class apart when winning at first asking and when taking the Listed Irish EBF Fillies' Sprint S., but she had to settle for second as the favourite in Royal Ascot's G3 Albany S. and was just fifth in the G1 Moyglare Stud S. The grey came roaring back at three, however, winning four consecutive Group 1s over a mile-the Irish 1000 Guineas, Coronation S., Falmouth S. and Prix Jacques le Marois-before finishing second to six-time Group 1 winner Laurens (Fr) (Siyouni {Fr}) while picking up an injury in the G1 Matron S. Alpha Centauri's first foal is a yearling colt by Galileo, and she produced a filly by that champion sire this year. Alpha Centauri's full-sister Discoveries (Ire) is one of 111 2-year-olds for Mastercraftsman this year and she was the winner of a hot Curragh maiden on June 25.

Mastercraftsman made it a habit of producing top-class fillies, with A Raving Beauty (Ger) winning the GI Just A Game S. and GI First Lady S. and Off Limits (Ire) the GI Matriarch S. in America. Technician (Ire) once again advertised his sire's stamina influences with victory in the 2019 G1 Prix Royal-Oak.

Mastercraftsman has also found success as a sire in the Southern Hemisphere following shuttle stints to Windsor Park Stud in New Zealand and to Haras Firmamento in Argentina as well as a short stint in Chile. His New Zealand-conceived Group 1 winners include Danzdanzdanz (Aus), The Auld Floozie (NZ), Saint Emilion (NZ) and Valley Girl (NZ), while he is also the sire of five South American Group 1 winners headed by G1 Latinoamericano victor Ya Primo (Chi). Mastercraftsman has to date sired 16 Group 1 winners worldwide, 82 total stakes winners and the earners of over £45-million. He has sired eight stakes winners thus far in 2021 and recorded a one-two in the Listed Upavon S. at Salisbury on Wednesday when Lilac Road (Ire) bested Technique (GB).

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